While the decision of N.C. State guard Rodney Purvis to transfer came as a surprise to some, his destination is no surprise at all.

As first reported by Joe Giglio of the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, Purvis has decided to transfer to UConn. Purvis, who averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his lone season at N.C. State, will be required to sit out the 2013-14 season per NCAA transfer rules.

Purvis chose to remain in his home state during the recruiting process (in high school), picking the Wolfpack with UConn considered to be a close second by many who followed his recruitment.

In Giglio’s story Purvis acknowledged his relationship with UConn head coach Kevin Ollie as one reason for his decision to join the program.

“I really trust coach Ollie,” Purvis said Friday. “They have a great tradition of producing NBA guards and that’s where I want to be someday.”

Due to APR (Academic Progress Rate) issues the Huskies were ineligible for postseason play this year and that sapped their depth, with two players heading to the NBA (Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb) and three others (most notably Alex Oriakhi) deciding to transfer.

But in Ollie’s first season as head coach UConn managed to win 20 games with guards Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright leading the way. With those two expected to return, along with rising sophomore Omar Calhoun and a front court that will receive a much-needed boost with the arrival of Kentan Facey and Amida Brimah, UConn should return to the NCAA tournament in 2014.

Purvis will help the guards (which includes incoming freshman Terrence Samuel) in practice, and once eligible the McDonald’s All-American has the talent to be one of the best players in the newly-named American Athletic Conference.